Joseph Gazan, Diane with the Doe (circa 1930)

JOSEPH GAZAN (Nice, 1891-1985) Diana with the deer. Circa 1930. Sketch in raw clay. H. 17 cm. Notably, the back leg of Diana is missing. The sense of movement and speed conveyed by this raw clay sketch is truly exceptional. Few artists could invoke the spirit of Greco-Roman mythology with the sensitivity of Joseph Gazan. Originally from Nice, Joseph Gazan first studied at the School of Decorative Arts in Nice before joining the School of Fine Arts in Paris in 1911. He remained in Paris, where he worked notably for Rodin, until 1927, the year of his permanent return to Nice. Settled in his hometown, Gazan had a long career as one of the most sought-after sculptors in Nice for his statues, bas-reliefs, and portraits. His sculptures adorn grand Art Deco buildings in Nice, such as the Eden (rue Paul-Déroulède) and the Palladium (boulevard Gambetta). In 1937, he created the sculpted decor for the Côte d'Azur pavilion at the International Exhibition in Paris. Many monuments in Nice and the surrounding region are his work, including the bas-relief in tribute to Auguste Icart in the old town, and the stele of Jules Eynaudi in the eponymous staircase, as well as the monument to Queen Victoria in Menton. Gazan also created virgins and saints for the churches of Nice. He left his mark on educational institutions in Nice by decorating one of the façades of the Roland Garros college, and through the "1% artistic" policy established in 1951, he decorated the pediments of the Saint-Barthélémy primary school and the Higher School of Teaching and Education in Nice. His style is distinguished by striking realism and gentle classicism, combining lyricism and dynamism.